Don't be afraid of the actor behind the curtain

Cedric Smith hadn't been in a stage production for 20 years. And he never appeared in a musical.

Yet, the gifted Canadian actor relished delivering the dual role as Professor Marvel and the Wizard in the touring "Wizard of Oz," with the yellow brick road leading to the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco from Oct. 16-27.

First off, he said, people he knew who immersed themselves in musicals "always seemed to have more fun."

Then there's his 3 1/2 year old daughter "who does whole scenes with me," said the 70-year-old Smith.

Besides, said the London-born actor, "it's such a quintessential American story."

One, obviously, told numerous times in numerous incantations from "The Wiz" to "Wicked" and who knows, some day "Le Wiz."

It's the psychological layers for the story that hooked Smith, an integral part of the nearly all-Canadian cast.

"One of the best conversations I've had had been with a couple of Russian women who told me the only piece of American literature they studied going back to Stalin was 'The Wizard of Oz' because it's viewed as a key to the American psyche," said Smith.

It's not as if Smith is driving blind on this one. He's done his research. The ruby slippers? Silver in the book. Initial producer's quest for the Wizard? W.C. Fields, "but he kept asking for too much money," Smith said.

Still, serenely at home in Stratford, Ontario, Smith auditioned for the role after encouraged by "a number

of people."

Again, this whole musical thing seemed intriguing.

"People in musicals always seemed not as serious, neurotic or the pain of dramatic actors," Smith said. "And I convinced myself I had some things I could bring to it."

The biggest challenge, Smith said, was his "Wonders of the World" number he did as Professor Marvel that followed the iconic "Over the Rainbow."

"It was scary. You have to do it right after Dorothy has just knocked the ball out of the park," Smith said. "It's a tight wire, but the rest of the show after that's put aside is a cruise."

Smith wouldn't compare his vocal ability with Michael Crawford, the original "Wizard" of the Lloyd Webber production.

"He's got such a powerful signing voice, as in 'Phantom,'" said Smith. "I'm an old folk singer kind of guy. Holding notes forever is not my forte."

Growing up in England -- his family relocated to Canada when Smith was 10 -- the actor doesn't recall the first time he watched "The Wizard of Oz." Bambi, yes. "The Wizard," no.

"What amazes me," he said, "is that lots of women I know can quote every word of dialogue."

Not just women, apparently.

U.S. customs officials at Toronto were alerted to the cast coming through.

"They asked what part I played. I said 'The Wizard' and one said, 'That's a horse of a different color,'" said Smith laughing. "It has that kind

of impact."

Smith said he's witnessed several times how the film links grandparents, parents and

their children.

"It's like no other. It has that kind of resonance as a movie," said Smith, still awed by the performances of Garland, Burt Lahr, Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger in the film.

"It's delicious stuff," Smith said. "I can't think of any other musical close to that."

It's been close to a year since Smith and the rest of the cast embarked on this adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest production.

At eight shows a week, it takes its toll,

said Smith.

"I am not a kid anymore," he lamented. "When you do two (performances) a day, one goes into a form of delirium."

An eventual break will be welcomed,

Smith said.

"After cascading around the country, I have some 'wizard duty' at home," he said.